Community-led environmental efforts boosted with fresh funds
Posted on August 5th, 2015
Do you live in Gladstone, Rockhampton or on the Capricorn or Curtis Coasts? Have you got great ideas for projects to help protect our region’s special plants, unique animals or spectacular landscapes? Do you need help to implement your vision? Then Fitzroy Basin Association Inc. (FBA) might be able to help.
FBA Project Officer Kelly Smith said with funds from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme, they were able to financially support community-led projects that improved environmental outcomes in the region.
Ms Smith said grants of up to $5,000 were available to conduct an extensive scope of on-ground environmental activities such as revegetation works, removal of marine debris, weed and pest animal management, erosion control strategies and dune restoration.
Three local organisations will act as sponsors for community groups providing project management and technical expertise at no cost to successful applicants.
“These funds mean community organisations can organise and deliver their own environmental projects independently and access expert help should they need it,” Ms Smith said.
“Mentoring on how to manage a project is also available,” she said.
“This mentoring and expertise will be available from Capricornia Catchments, Greening Australia and Conservation Volunteers Australia.”
Projects can be for 6 or 12 months and located in coastal environments or along urban waterways from Tannum Sands to as far north as the Corio Bay and Shoalwater Ramsar areas.
To support these projects and grow community involvement, family friendly public events and educational programs that have an ecological theme, or aim to change attitudes and behaviours towards natural resource management, are also eligible to receive up to $1,500 in funds.
Applications for the community environmental grants are now open.
To find out more about the grants and the application process, visit www.fba.org.au/tenders-and-funding/ or contact FBA Project Officer Kelly Smith on (07) 4999 2836.
